Attempt to Fire Jewish Building Foiled in Riga

Unidentified incendiaries made an unsuccessful effort today to set fire to the headquarters of Agudath Israel with inflammable liquids.

When their first effort failed early in the morning, another attempt was made a few hours later. This also was unsuccessful. The police have started an investigation.

It is believed here that the plot is due to the fact that the Agudath Israel, the extreme orthodox Jewish organization, is the only group now permitted by the government to control Jewish public life in Latvia. While the entire Jewish press in Latvia is suppressed and no other political organization is permitted to exist, the Agudath Israel is an exception and enjoys the right to publish a daily newspaper, the only Jewish publication in the country.

In certain circles here the theory prevails that the arson attempt may have something to do with the recent decision of the world headquarters of the Agudath to establish a separate Jewish Agency to rival the present Jewish Agency of Zionists and non-Zionists which is recognized by the League of Nations as the only representative body of the Jews in matters concerning Palestine.